Project information

Greener Diagnostic Imaging Solution for Dogs &Cats

At a distressing time for newly arrived dogs and cats, a modern digital x-ray solution will mean faster, safer examinations and enable ailments to be diagnosed and treated rapidly. Dogs and cats will feel less anxious, settle down quickly and be ready for rehoming in the shortest possible time.

Charity information: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Need

We never turn away a dog or cat and rescue 11,000 lost or unwanted animals annually. All arrivals get a full veterinary check and some need specialised veterinary care including life-saving surgery. With no medical histories available, we rely on diagnostic aids, such as radiography, to identify pre-existing medical conditions. Our existing x-ray machine is dated and expensive. We have no x-ray capacity on our Windsor site and currently their animals have to endure stressful journeys to London.

Solution

New equipment will provide better image quality and more accurate diagnosis. A streamlined workflow will mean dogs and cats are examined, diagnosed and treated faster. Eliminating film/chemical processing and reduced radiation will mean a safer workspace and smaller environmental footprint. Images will be able to be shared immediately with veterinary specialists/other professionals for instant diagnosis/consultation. Equipment on both sites will reduce the need to transport animals between them.

Aim 1

To ensure every dog and cat gets the correct medical treatment needed quickly and safely.

Activities

» Veterinary staff are trained in correct usage of the new equipment » Any medical/surgical conditions are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, given that most animals arrive with no medical history » Multiple consultation with external veterinary specialists will be faster due to ability to email scans » All records will be archived on disc providing fast retrieval and freeing up space for other purposes e.g. more recovery pens or kennels

What success will look like

Success will be...All veterinary staff will use the equipment correctly and confidently. The health of our dogs and cats will improve. Freed up space is used constructively.

Aim 2

To make the necessary process each dog or cat has to go through as stress-free as possible.

Activities

» Veterinary staff conduct faster, safer examinations » Diagnosis and treatment of ailments will be conducted more rapidly » Having equipment on both Old Windsor and London sites will reduce the need to transport sick and injured dogs or cats between the two sites

What success will look like

Success will be...Dogs and cats exhibit less stress, settle down quickly and are able to go to new homes in the shortest possible time.

Aim 3

To never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help

Activities

» Carry out full medical assessments on all new arrivals within 24 hours » Dogs and cats move through the Home as swiftly as possible, spending less time in kennels before finding new homes » By doing so, free up kennel space, reduce pressure on the management of dogs and cats gifted by general public and take in more animals as needed

What success will look like

Success will be...Waiting times for kennel space are reduced allowing us to take in more dogs and cats.

Impact

In the long term, success will be measured by the speed with which we can find new homes for dogs and cats that cannot be reunited with their owners and by reduction in numbers of stray/abandoned dogs in the environment. After seven days, all animals suitable for rehoming are made available for sale. Key to finding a happy home for each animal is ensuring that any medical issues are identified and treated quickly. Currently, the average stay at Battersea is 28 days for dogs and 27 days for cats.

Risk

Equipment use will be monitored to check it is being operated correctly and to best advantage. Numbers and results of x-rays will be monitored.

The risk is greater if we do not replace our x-ray machine. Should the existing one fail for any reason we would have no radiography capability, significantly slowing down our processes. Additionally, the new system will provide a safer workspace for staff and animals as chemical processing will be eliminated and radiation substantially reduced.

Location

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in south-west London celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2010. It is one of the oldest, and probably the most famous, animal refuge in the world. We have two other sites in Old Windsor and Brands Hatch and rescue, reunite and rehome nearly 11,000 dogs and cats each year across, mainly, south east England.

Beneficiaries

The dogs and cats requiring x-rays - 570 cases or over 1,000 x-rays each year.
Our veterinary team of 30 (5 surgeons and 25 nurses)
The thousands of people who give homes to our animals every year will be reassured by knowing they are being given the most accurate medical information possible on their new pet. (5,417 animals found happy new homes in 2009).

Why Us?

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home operates an open-intake policy 365 days a year, something increasingly rare within animal welfare. We take in all dogs and cats regardless of their history, breed, temperament, age or medical issues. We work tirelessly to try and match every animal with the best possible new owner. All our animals have a full health check, are fully vaccinated and microchipped and have been assessed for their temperament and general character. We rehome over 5,000 animals every year.